Cedric Soares is impressing Arsenal staff with his hard work behind the scenes and he’s hoping to win back his spot in the team.

Carabao Cup Arsenal v AFC Wimbledon Alexandre Lacazette 9 of Arsenal celebrates his goal with , Cedric Soares to make it 1-0 London Emirates Stadium Greater London United Kingdom Copyright: Arron Gent/News Images
Carabao Cup – Arsenal v AFC Wimbledon – Alexandre Lacazette of Arsenal celebrates his goal with Cedric Soares to make it 1-0. London, Emirates Stadium, United Kingdom. Copyright: Arron Gent/News Images

“I’m there fighting”, says Cedric

ESPN report that Arsenal’s backroom staff have been impressed with Cedric Soares‘ work ethic, which isn’t the first time we’ve heard that.

Over the summer, despite links to a new right-back signing and the competition from Calum Chambers and Hector Bellerin, Football.London reported that Cedric was impressing coaches and was in contention for games when the season got underway.

The suggestion from Cedric’s camp was that the defender planned to fight for his place at Arsenal.

So it proved, with Cedric starting two of the first three league games of the season.

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The arrival of Takehiro Tomiyasu has relegated him to a bench role, but he’s still clearly ahead of Calum Chambers, despite Chambers ending last season as a starter.

Takehiro Tomiyasu A at the EPL match Arsenal v Norwich City, at the Emirates Stadium, London, UK on 11th September, 2021.
Takehiro Tomiyasu A at the EPL match Arsenal v Norwich City, at the Emirates Stadium, London, UK on 11th September, 2021.

“I’m there fighting,” Cedric told ESPN.

“Every week, every day, I will be there knocking [on the door], making him a problem – in a good way – that he needs to think who to put on the pitch.

“Of course, it is [Arteta’s] decision. I respect that and he knows that.

“But I will not make it easier.

As for any suggestion he might leave in January to try and get regular minutes ahead of next year’s Qatar World Cup, Cedric was adamant he’s focusing on his current club.

Cedric Soares of Arsenal - Arsenal v Slavia Prague, UEFA Europa League, Quarter Final, First Leg, Football, Emirates Stadium, London, UK - 08 Apr 2021. Copyright: Javier Garcia / BPI / Shutterstock
Cedric Soares of Arsenal – Arsenal v Slavia Prague, UEFA Europa League, Quarter Final, First Leg, Football, Emirates Stadium, London, UK – 08 Apr 2021. Copyright: Javier Garcia / BPI / Shutterstock

“I’m completely focused on Arsenal,” Cedric said.

“In football you cannot guarantee anything because you don’t know: tomorrow everything can change.

“But right now, I’m here, I’m fighting for my position.

“It is the club I want to be in and I want to win my space and I will keep doing my thing.”

Manchester City v Arsenal - Premier League - Etihad Stadium Arsenals Cedric Soares left and Manchester City s Joao Cancelo battle for the ball in the air during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday August 28, 2021. Copyright: Nick Potts
Manchester City v Arsenal – Premier League – Etihad Stadium Arsenals Cedric Soares left and Manchester City s Joao Cancelo battle for the ball in the air during the Premier League match at the Etihad Stadium, Manchester. Picture date: Saturday August 28, 2021. Copyright: Nick Potts

Cedric should at least get some more chances in the team towards the end of 2021 and the start of 2022.

Arsenal will be competing on three fronts, with the League Cup run still ongoing and the FA Cup kicking off alongside the busy Premier League schedule.

That will be his opportunity to try and break back into the team.

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